American Horror Story - Coven

After a very solid second season, I thought I could give a chance to at least one more season of this series. So, it was the turn of witches and supposedly the weakest story of the whole series. Personally, I have to say that the beginning started off in a pretty promising way. The creators approached the story as a combination of snide Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and the good old Charmed. Just a bit rougher and, obviously, with a concept targeted mostly at the youth. Something along the lines of modern young adult stories. The only scary thing about the series is the theme song. Gradually, the story evolved in an unbelievably crazy way until it became nonsense and near the end, I was literally disgusted by it. Even so, I appreciate that the creators thought all the characters through completely and so you get answers for everything… and for everybody. I feel like that isn’t very common with series. Nevertheless, a pretty short range of 13 episodes allows for virtually anything. (02.05.2016)

A minimum of male characters, sarcasm dripping from every line, a fashion extravaganzas, an incomparable style – and Stevie Nicks. If there is one thing clear about the third story from this horror collection, it is that Ryan Murphy thoroughly enjoyed it. The girl power oozing from the witches is intoxicating and brings plenty of moments that fulfill the audience's dreams. However, the supernatural plot itself has one drawback. It occasionally involves resurrecting the dead, which often greatly damages the dramatic effect. As a result, the screenplay starts to appear somewhat superficial halfway through, but slows down in similar whirlwinds to build up towards a grand and appropriately fateful finale. And because this stay in New Orleans was mainly a showcase of the most amazing, complicated, or outrageous characters, I admit that I rolled my eyes at Marie Laveau and her hairdressing party, while eagerly devouring every second with Cordelia, Zoe, and Misty. (19.04.2015)

Ich habe Coven erst im Nachhinein gesehen, nachdem sich bestätigt hatte, dass ohnehin alles aufeinander aufbauen würde, wenn auch nur in geringem Maße, und ich möchte keine Ostereier verpassen. Die Hexenmission zweier rivalisierender Clans aus New Orleans war jedoch in jeder Hinsicht extrem übertrieben. Doch was in der Gegenwart zu viel war, wurde durch großartige Kameraführung und perverse Rückblenden wettgemacht. (23.10.2015)

The third season is in many ways similar to the previous ones and yet different. I was attracted by the world of witches, its hierarchy, laws, traditions and everything that is even marginally related to it. I very much welcomed the casting of Kathy Bates, who relished her role as the cold-blooded mass murderess of yesteryear with grace (I immediately thought of Misery). She was faithfully seconded by her main antagonist, played by Angela Bassett. The main star, however, was as always Jessica Lange as the Supreme – a designation that suited her like a glove. Thanks to the series, I was introduced to Stevie Nicks, whose “Seven Wonders” I like to play in my ears from time to time. In short, for the third time, I was nicely carried along on the wave of American Horror Story, which this time was full of magic, intrigue, murder, reanimation, morbidity and much more. (28.12.2014)